Volunteering Vision Newsletter - 6 August 2026

Volunteering Vision Newsletter
6 August 2026

Welcome to this edition of Volunteering Vision.

Firstly, we would like to thank all the organisations that joined us with a stall at our St Albans Volunteer Fair. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to promoting volunteering opportunities helped make the event a great success. It was wonderful to see so many organisations engaging with local residents and showcasing the positive impact volunteers make in our communities.

In this edition, you'll find updates from the voluntary sector, upcoming events, training opportunities, and useful resources designed to help your organisation. We hope you find the information valuable and, as always, thank you for the incredible work you do to support our communities.

Best wishes,

Kelly Wright
Voluntary Sector and Partnerships Manager

Volunteering News

Funding and volunteers named biggest barriers to impact

A new 2026 Charity Sector Support Index, based on responses from 1,274 charities, found that funding and income generation is the greatest challenge facing the sector, followed by volunteer and people capacity, with one in ten charities needing help with basic digital equipment.

Read Here

navca logo

What happens when a city reimagines volunteering

Across the country, local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) are using the Vision for Volunteering as a catalyst for change, turning shared principles into locally owned strategies that build consensus and create momentum. By convening partners, listening to communities and grounding action in lived experience, LIOs are shaping volunteering systems that respond to what people and places need now.

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New social media group study: your voices and experiences matter

Sustainable Wellbeing Insights for Frontline Social Care Teams social media group is part of a new academic study. It looks at how social workers, social care staff and community/voluntary sector workers are doing since the pandemic. Centred in Greater London and the East of England, the research highlights your lived experience to increase public, policy and funder support for you and your colleagues.

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Information To Support Your Organisation

DBS checks for volunteers

Volunteers play an important role in supporting communities across the UK. DBS is highlighting the support available to organisations through free Standard and Enhanced DBS checks for eligible volunteer roles.

DBS does not charge for eligible volunteer checks, although umbrella bodies may charge a separate administration fee.

The campaign aims to improve awareness of volunteer eligibility criteria and common misconceptions around unpaid roles, trainee positions, and work placements.

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Introduction to Recruiting and Engaging Volunteers

As we celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers, Communities 1st is here to help you build on your volunteer engagement, retention, and recruitment. Our free to members one-hour Introduction to Recruiting and Engaging Volunteers webinar will help you better understand volunteer motivations, how to engage volunteers, and offer tips on recruitment.

Register Here

State of the Sector Survey

Communities 1st is conducting a State of the Sector Survey and is inviting local organisations to take part. Your feedback will help us better understand the challenges, opportunities, and support needs of the Community and Voluntary Sector. This will enable us to provide more effective support across the area in the years ahead. The findings will be compiled into a report, and all participating organisations will receive a copy later in the year.

Survey

Let's Give

Say goodbye to the time-consuming search for the right volunteer. With Let’s Give, you can connect directly with individuals who match your needs - based on skills, availability, and passion.

Our platform is designed to take the guesswork out of recruiting.

Search profiles, identify the perfect fit, and let us facilitate the connection.

Whether you need specialised expertise or enthusiastic support, Let’s Give helps you find volunteers who align with your mission.

Let's Give Today

Training

Introduction to volunteering

Communities 1st will be hosting an Introduction to Volunteering session. This one hour Teams session is for potential volunteers wishing to take their first steps towards volunteering. The session will cover an understanding of volunteering and its roles, volunteering with benefits, researching volunteering roles and identifying skills.

When: 27 August 2026
Location: Online
Time: 10:30am to 11:30am

Sign Up Here

Hertfordshire Health Walks Volunteer Training

Do you love to walk?

If so, why not become a Health Walk Volunteer and help others experience the health and wellbeing benefits of regular walking?

There’s no need to be super fit or know how to read a map. Volunteering with us is flexible and there is no expectation of a time commitment. The experience is rewarding and benefits your health as well as the health of others. You will meet many like-minded people and explore your local countryside.

When: 4 September 2026
Location: Stevenage

Sign Up Here

Events

Networking Breakfast in Hertsmere

You are invited to attend the next quarterly networking breakfast for existing, new and enquiring member organisations.

Come along and enjoy light refreshments while making connections with other voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations.

Find out about all the membership benefits available, including:

Funding advice and support
Help with volunteer recruitment
Training and workshops
Share your initiatives and projects and discuss local priorities and current trends.

Date: 14 September2026
Time: 9:30am to 11:00am
Venue: Phillimore Community Centre Phillimore Pl, Radlett, Hertfordshire WD7 8NN

We look forward to welcoming you!

Book Your Place Here

Volunteer Managers Stronger Together Network

We are hosting our Volunteers Managers Stronger Together Network meeting on 1 September from 11am to 12pm. If you are a volunteer manager we would love to see you as this network offers the chance for volunteer managers to come together, discuss challenges, share best practice and network.

Date: 1 September 2026
Time: 11am to 12pm
Venue: St. Albans, AL2 2WH

Sign Up Here